Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Brown Medicine assistant professor with a valid U.S. visa, was deported to Lebanon after being detained at Boston Logan International Airport for 36 hours upon her return from a family visit. This deportation occurred despite a federal judge’s order prohibiting her removal without notice and justification. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintains that arriving aliens must prove admissibility, while a court filing alleges willful disobedience of the judge’s order. A hearing is scheduled to address CBP’s actions and Dr. Alawieh’s immediate return.
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The Trump administration repurposed the CBP One asylum application app as “CBP Home,” promoting self-deportation as an option for undocumented immigrants. This rebranding is coupled with a $200 million advertising campaign urging departure. Critics, however, express concerns about the app’s potential for surveillance and coercion, highlighting the lack of clarity regarding who would utilize the self-deportation feature. The move is seen as aligning with Trump’s campaign promise of mass deportations and represents a continuation of his administration’s restrictive immigration policies.
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Lucas Sielaff, a German citizen, and his American fiancée were detained by CBP at the San Diego border after entering from Tijuana. Following accusations of visa violation despite Sielaff’s claims of compliance, he was arrested by ICE and held at the Otay Mesa Detention Center for over two weeks. After intervention, Sielaff was deported to Germany, expressing gratitude for his release. While ICE cited visa violation as the reason for detention, CBP and ICE did not provide further details to inquiries.
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Jessica Brösche, a German citizen, was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) while attempting to enter the United States with her friend. CBP alleged Brösche intended to violate her visa waiver by working, despite possessing necessary travel documents. Brösche spent 25 days in detention, including nine days in conditions exceeding CBP’s own 72-hour limit, before being transferred to an ICE facility. The incident highlights concerns about the U.S. immigration system’s inefficiency and the significant taxpayer costs associated with detaining individuals like Brösche who pose no apparent threat.
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Facing pressure from investors concerned about lagging profits, BP announced a strategic shift, slashing renewable energy investments by over $5 billion and increasing oil and gas spending by approximately 20% to $10 billion annually. This decision, mirroring moves by competitors, prioritizes shareholder returns and increased oil and gas production, aiming for 2.3 to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2030. While BP maintains its net-zero ambition, critics argue this focus on short-term profits jeopardizes climate commitments and undermines the energy transition. The company plans to pursue capital-light partnerships in remaining renewable energy ventures.
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President Trump’s swift implementation of his immigration agenda includes canceling refugee flights, increasing border troop presence, expanding expedited deportation powers, and authorizing wider arrest authority for federal law enforcement agencies. The resulting surge in migrants at the Mexican border reflects canceled appointments via the CBP One app, leaving many stranded. Despite this, daily deportation numbers remain consistent with the Biden administration. Meanwhile, Texas is requesting federal reimbursement for border security costs, and Trump discussed immigration and gang issues with the El Salvadoran president.
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With Donald Trump’s inauguration, the CBP One app, used by migrants to schedule asylum appointments, was immediately deactivated, leaving hundreds stranded at the border. These migrants, some having waited nearly a year for appointments, saw their hopes of a new life in the U.S. dashed. The Trump administration plans to eliminate the asylum system and suspend refugee resettlement, effectively closing the border to those seeking refuge. Mexican authorities barred further crossings, leaving many migrants despondent and without options.
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John Q. Hosedrinker